Jose Mourinho is set to continue Manchester United’s tradition of giving academy players a chance to shine in the Red Devils’ first team by including duo Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe in his plans for the next season.
According to Sky Sports, the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager is keen on promoting the youth players at Old Trafford, which has seen him turn his attention towards the two defenders.
Fosu-Mensah was handed the first team debut by Louis van Gaal in February. He came on as a substitute for Marcos Rojo in the second half during United’s 3-2 win over Arsenal at home. Since then, he went on to make several appearances under the Dutch coach.
The 18-year-old Dutch defender is a versatile player comfortable in playing in the right-back, left-back and also in the central defending position. In addition to this, he can also play as a defensive midfielder.
He is unsure as to what is his best playing position. When asked about it by United’s official website in April, Fosu-Mensah said, “It’s a difficult question. I think I’ll just be keeping my options open. Centre-back or midfield, I think that is the most chance. However, as I’ve said before, wherever the manager wants me, I will play there.”
Meanwhile, Tuanzebe is a central defender and is yet to make his way into the first team. He is expected to reach heights after impressing United’s coaches in the academy. Mourinho remains confident that Tuanzebe and Fosu-Mensah can be developed to suit his requirements.
It should be seen whether Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzebe will be able to excel under Mourinho in the 2016-17 season.
The same report also claims that Mourinho is looking to offload defenders Tyler Blackett and Guillermo Varela in the current transfer window. The two are deemed surplus to requirements and United manager is looking to offload this summer.
United have signed Ivory Coast central defender Eric Bailly from Villarreal as he became Mourinho’s first signing at Old Trafford. In addition to this, left-back Luke Shaw has recovered from his horror injury he suffered last September.
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